Electric-cable fitting



Jan. 16, 1951 M, AUSTIN, JR 2,538,614

ELECTRIC- CABLE FITTING Filed Sept. 29, 1949 If; I 6 20 3111361101 Mew/u if 34/ 278 AI 51in JR (Ittornegs Patented Jan. 16,!1951 UNITED. STATES PATENT- orrlcs Merritt Bartlett Austin, Jn, Deerfield, Ill.

Application September 29, 1949, Serial No. 118,574

Thi invention relates to electric-cable fittings for use with outlet boxes, junction boxes, entrance heads and the like. i 5 An object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified electric-cable fitting for outlet boxes, junction boxes, entrance heads and the like, which fitting is adapted to clamp cables of difierent sizes in both large and small categories by virtue of reversibility of a clamping strip, the-said fitting having simple and advantageous, novel means adapted to be easily arranged by a user for fully closing the unused part of the opening or hole for the cable adjacent the clamping strip, regardless of the clampin position of the strip.

Another object of the invention is toprovide an improved electrical connector as set forth above, which is simple and economical to fabricate while at the same time being easy to operate and reliable in use.

Heretofore a numberof different cable clamping means have beenemployed in electric-cable fittings, as for example wedging or binding screws, bendable strips havin apertured lugs or cars for receiving a clampin screw, and cooperable jaws one of which was in the form of a clamping strip carrying screws at its ends while the other was in the form of a recessed portion or seat made integral with a connector sleeve or casing part. These prior fittings have been limited as to the size of cables which they were able to accommodate; moreover they presented a problem in that the unused part of the opening for the cable would be left exposed and not properly closed oVer, thereby enabling access to the interior of the casing, box or housing to be had.

According to the present invention I overcome the objections and disadvantages of these prior devices by the provision of a novel, improved clamping or jaw-type fitting for boxes, casings, entrance heads etc. having a clamping strip provided with both large and smallseat portions, respectively disposed on its opposite sides. The clamping strip is mounted for reversibility so that either one seat or the other may be presented to the opposite seat portion of the'fitting. Intermediate the ends of the clamping strip I provide simple, advantageous means for closing the unused part of the opening for the cable,

which remains when the strip is mounted in clamping relation, with either of its seats opposite cular plate pivoted to the clamping strip and 6 Claims. ('Cl. 285-6.5)

adapted to be swung to either of opposite positions whereby it may act as a closure regardless of how the clampin strip is mounted when in clamping position. In another illustrated embodiment of the invention there are integral tabs or ears, which are joined to the clamping strip along lines of weakness whereby either tab may be readily broken away from the strip. Thus either one tab or the other may be left remaining, depending on which position the clamping strip is mounted in, to block off the unused part of the cable opening.

In each case the proper positioning of the 010- Fig. 2 is an outer end View of the connector of Fig. l, with the clamping strip shown in position to accommodate a relatively small cable, the unused part of the sleeve openin being blocked off by the closure means of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a view like Fig. 2 but showing the clamping strip in position to fasten a large cable, the unused part of the sleeve opening being again blocked off.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the reversible clamping and closure means of the fitting.

Fig. 5 is .a side view of the clamping and closure means of Fig. 4, with the closure plate disposed in one position;

. Fig. 6 is a view like Fig. 5, but with the closure plate disposed in its other position.

Fig. '7 is a side view of a modified form of clamping and closure means.

Fig. 8 is an end View of the clampin and closure means of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of an entrance head having the clamping and closure means of the invention, and

Fig. 10 is a front elevational View of the entrance head of Fig. 9.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the connector embodyin the improved cable clamp and closure means of this invention comprises a sleeve l0 having a threaded end ll adapted to be inserted in the hole of an outlet box or the like (not shown), the sleeve having at its other or outer end a semi-cylindrical seat portion l2 provided with ears I3 threaded to receive clamping screws In accordance with the invention an improved clamping and closure means I5 is provided, for securement to the seat portion I3 of the sleeve ID to clamp a cable passing through the sleeve Ill. The clamping and closure means I5 is shown per se in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 and comprises an elongate body or bar le having slots I] at. its ends for receiving the clamping screws l mama; diate its ends the body It on one side has seat l8 adapted to accommodate relatively small diameter cables, and on its opposite side has a sec ond seat l9 adapted to accommodate ra'r'ger d1 ameter cables. t

I provide a semicircular closure plate 28 as shown in Figs. 1 through 6, which is pivotal lysecured to the bar [8 at a point intermediate its ends by a pivot pin 2|, the plate being so "arranged that it may be swung to one position, shown in Fig. 5, wherein 'it blocks off the space alongside the 'largeseat It, or to another position shown in Fig. '6, wherein-it blocks off the space alongside the small seat #8. .These positions are also respectively shown in Figs. 2 and 3, wherein the clamping 'strip 1'6 is mounted in reverse positions on the seat portion IQ of the connector sleeve Hi. In Fig. 2,2. cable (not shown) passing through 'the'space 22 will clamped and held secure by the clamping strip 16-; in Fig. 3 a larger cable passing 'throughspace 22 will be clamped and held secure by the clamping strip.

In each case the closure plate 2t may be swung to a position, as shown in Figs. '2'an'd 3, wherein it blocks 'oli or closes the unused part of the opening in the sleeve l 0.

A modification of the invention isy'show'nin Figs. 7 and 8, wherein there is illustrated a clamping and closure means 23 in the ;form. of a strip 24 having a small seat 25 to accommodate small cables and'a large seat26 to accommodate large cables.

, The strip '24 is provided with 'arpair of semicircular tabs or ears 21, preferably formed integral with the Strip and, joined thereto along lines of weakness -28 whereby either 'ta-b may be I readily broken away from the-strip, Thus at the choice 'of a user, one or thefother of thetabs 2'! may be easily removed from the strip, allowing the other tab to remaintocl'ose over the unused part of the opening in the connectorsleeve NJ. The tab 2? which is removed "is chosen in 'accordance with whether thesmall seat 25 or the large seat 26 is to be used to clamp the cable passing through the connector sleeve.

Another embodiment of theinventionis shown in Figs. 9'and 1-0 wherein the presentimproved clamping and closure mean's,is, used with "an entrance-head type of electric fitting.

This entrance-head type of fitting comprises a housing 29 having an upstanding-arm 30 at its rear, apertured to receive a mounting screw whereby the fitting may be'secured .toa supporting Wall surface. The -housing. 29'includes a removable cap 3|, and at its bottom has ;a sleeve portion 32 provided withan opening '33 the sleeve portion 32 the housing has a depending extension 34 constituting a seat portion, having threaded apertures for carrying clamping screws '35. w W

, The improved clamping and closure'means [5 of the invention ismounted on the seat portion Moi the housing by means of the screws 35, and

- through which an electric cable maypass, Below the clamping strip 16 may obviously be reversibly positioned with respect to said seat portion in the manner clearly described above in connection with Figs. 1 through 6, whereby the closure plate 20 may be disposed to cover the unused part of the opening in the sleeve portion 32.

Obviously the clamping and closure means 23 shown in Figs. 7 and 8 may also be used in the entrance head of Figs. 9 and 10, in place of the means 15. I

In both of the embodiments of the invention described above, the combined clamping and closure means is extremely simple and economical to fabricate, and may be quickly and conveniently operated by the user to effect a secure clamping or a tame to an outlet box or entrance head or theli ke -and at the same time close the opening which remains after the clamping has been eiiected.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claimsand portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

-12 A fitting for electric cables, comprising a structure having a cable opening in it and a partially tubular seat portion for receiving a cable; arelatively-rig-id clampingstripand means mounting the strip over the seat portion oi the structure and across the cable opening-to form two smaller openings thereby, said mountingproviding for reverse gposition-ing pf the strip to reverse its sidesand "said strip having two different seats on t-wo opposites of said 'sides '-re spectivel-y, the said seats being sized and shaped to each accommodate a different diameter cable and being so disposed intermediate the endsof the strip that one seat or the other faces the seat portion of the structure to clamp a cable passing through one of said smaller openings; and means carried by said strip intermediate its ends for closing the other of said openings when the strip is mounted lap present either of its seats opposite the seat-portion of the structure. k 2. As anew article ofmanufacture, a combined clamp and closure fneans for usew-ithan electriccable-fitting-provided witha cable opening, comprising a-relatively rigid clamping strip for =positigning across said opening, said strip having two different seats on two of its opposite sides -respectively, the said seats bein g sized and-shaped to'each accommodate a 'diiierentdiameter cable and being disposed intermediate the ends of the strip; and means carried by said strip intermediate its en-ds and adapted to be selectively arrangedby a user, for obstructing a space at one side or the; other of thefstrip adjacent the seats thereof and clearing an o'pposite space at the remaining side of the strip according the choice of the user, so that the stri-p'ma'y beinstalled across the said opening in either offtv'vo reversed clamping :positions to prs'e'n't either seat for engagement with a dame passing'th roii gh said opening :to cause the :--unused part of the opening-to be closed by said ob'stmaingmeans.

w 3. As anew article of manufacture, a combined clamp; and closure means for use wit h anelectriccable-fittingpfrovided witha cable opening, comprising arelatively rigid clamping strip for pos'itipning across said opening, saidstrip-having two different seatson 'two'of its oppositesides respectively, the said seatsbeing sized and shaped to each accommodate a *difierenkdiameter cable and being disposed intermediate "the nds of the strip; and means comprising a pivoted tab carried by said strip intermediate its ends'and adapted to be selectively arranged by a user, for obstructing a space at one side or the other of the strip adjacent the seats thereof and clearing an opposite space at the remaining side of strip according to the choice of the user, so that the strip may be installed across the said opening in either of two reversed clamping positions to present either seat for engagement with a cable passing through said opening to cause the unused part of the opening to be closed by obstructing means.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a combined clamp and closure means for use with an electric-cable fitting provided with a cable opening, comprising a relatively rigid clamping strip for positioning across said opening, said strip having two difierent seats on two of its opposite sides respectively, the said seats being sized and shaped to each accommodate a diiierent-diameter cable and being disposed intermediate the ends of the strip; and means comprising a pair of oppositely-extended, fracturably mounted tabs 7 carried by said strip intermediate its ends and in either of two reversed clam-ping positions to present either seat for engagement with a cable passing through said opening to cause the unused part of the opening to be closed by said obstructing means.

5. A fitting for electric cables, comprising a structure having a cable opening in it and a partially tubular seat portion for receiving a cable; a relatively rigid clamping strip and means mounting the strip over the seat portion of the structure and across the cable opening to form two smaller openings thereby, said mounting providing for reverse positioning of the strip to reverse its sides and said strip having two difierent seats on two opposites of said sides respectively,

the said seats being sized and shaped to each accommodate a different diameter cable and being so disposed intermediate the ends of the strip that one seat or the other races the seat portion ofthe structure to clamp a cable passing through one 01" said smaller openings; and means comprising a plate pivotally carried by said strip intermediate its ends and swingable to either of two opposite positions for closing the other of said openings when the strip is mounted to present either of its seats opposite the seat portion of the structure.

6. A fitting for electric cables, comprising a structure having a cable opening in it and a partially tubular seat portion for receivinga. cable; a relatively rigid clam-ping strip and means mounting the strip over the seat portion of the structure and across the cable opening to form two smaller openings thereby, said mounting providing for reverse positioning of the strip to reverse its sides and said strip having two different seats on two opposites of said sides respectively, the said seats being sized and shaped to each accommodate a different diameter cable and being so disposed intermediate the ends'of the strip that one seat or the other faces the seat portion of the structure to clamp a cable passing through one of said smaller openingsyand means carried by said strip intermediate its ends and comprising oppositely extended tabs integral with and joined to the strip along lines of weakness and breakable from the strip for closing the other of said openings when the strip is mounted to present either of its seats opposite the seat portion of the structure.

' MERRITT BARTLETT AUSTIN, JR.

Name I Date Petrie Aug. 24, 1937 Number 

